ASSESSMENT OF SERUM LIPOPROTEIN (a) LEVELS IN AFGHAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN YAZD

Background- Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] is a cholesterol-rich and atherogenic particle in human plasma. Its elevation in plasma is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the plasma level of Lp (a) and to evaluate its relationship to other serum lipids in Afghan immigrants. Methods- Serum Lp (a) in a group of Afghan immigrants (81 males, 86 females) living in Yazd, was measured using the electroimmunodiffusion method. Specific anti-Lp (a) antibodies were prepared by immunization of rabbits with Lp (a) and purified by affinity chromatography. Results- The mean Lp (a) value was 0.43 ± 0.45 g/L (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) and there was no difference between the sexes. Lp (a) levels did not correlate significantly with age, total cholesterol, triglycerides or high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The frequency distributions of Lp (a) were skewed toward lower values. Conclusion- In comparison to most other ethnic groups, this Afghan population had high plasma Lp (a) concentrations.